Textile spindle assembly

ABSTRACT

An elongate flexible belt entrained about guide rollers and about two drive rolls alternately rotated in opposite directions reciprocates a spindle vertically as it is simultaneously rotated about its axis. The drive rolls are rotated from a common input shaft through oppositely threaded pairs of worm and worm gears and selectively energizable clutches. A gear affixed to the spindle meshes in all its reciprocatory positions with an elongate gear which is driven to rotate the spindle about its axis.

United States Patent 1 3,572,027

[72] Inventor Christoph W. Aurich 2,898,729 8/1959 Anderson et a1 '57/99X Clemson, SC 3,013,376 12/1961 Whitehurst 57/99 [21] App]. No. 837,807 3,091,911 6/1963 Turner 57/99X Filed J 30,1969 3,203,163 8/1965 Long 57/99X [45] Patented Mar. 23, 1971 3,316,702 5/1967 Pfeifer"... 57/99 [73] Assignee Maremont Corporation 3,345,813 10/1967 Long 57/99X Chicago, Ill. 3,348,371 10/1967 Lancerotto.. 57/99 3,357,170 12/1967 Pfeifer 57/99 [54] TEXTILE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY Primary Examiner-John Petrakes 14 Claims 5 Drawing 18$ Attorney-Joseph H. Heard 52 us. a 57/99, 51] I Cl 1 422 10 2? ABSTRACT: An elongate flexible belt entrained about guide ll Don 1,36, z n and about two drive rolls alternately rotated in opposite irections reciprocates a spindle vertically as it is simultane- [50] Fleld of Search 57/92, 96, ously rotated about its axis. The drive rolls are rotated from a 98 common inpu't shaft through oppositely threaded pairs of [561 Rem-MM 3:32am::iiiiigiifiififii:13535123??? a o posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tions with an elongate gear which is driven to rotate the spin- 2,034,581 3/ 1936 Keyser 57/99 dle about its axis.

TEXTILE SPINDLE ASSEMBLY I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is conventional in certain types of roving frames and other apparatus used in the preparation of yarn for a bobbin-supporting spindle to be axially reciprocated as well as rotated as the yarn package is formed upon the bobbin which it supports. Examples of known drive mechanism for reciprocating a spindle include a rack-and-pinion type such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,316,702, and a chain-and-sprocket type such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,091,911. These and other known mechanisms in which there occurs direct and frequently reversing engagement between metallic components require frequent lubrication, which even if performed is undesirable since the lubricants may collect lint a'nd/or contaminate the yarn being processed, and tend to be objectionally noisy and slack in operation, particularly after a period of use. Some play or lost motion usually exists between the intenneshing metallic components even when the same are initially put into operation, and this becomes progressively greater during use as the components inevitably wear under the stress of their direct reversing contact with one another. The resulting slackness in the assembly may occasion spindle vibration and/or not permit precise control of the 'spindle's reciprocatory movement, particularly at the reversal of each reciprocatory stroke. Apart from increased noise and other problems, this in turn results in improper formation of the yarn package upon the bobbin supported by the spindle.

SUMMARYYOF THE lNvENTioN The present invention provides aspindle assembly of the type in question which is extremely durable and relatively quiet in operation, which does not require lubrication of certain of its major components, and which does not have or tend to develop objectionable slackness or lost motion in operation. Spindle vibration is minimized and the rotative and reciprocatory movements of the spindle, including the reversals at each end of its reciprocatory strokes, are positively and precisely controlled. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly includes inner and outer housings concentrically arranged about an intermediate portion of the spindle. The spindle is rotated relative to both housings by a gear affixed to one of its projecting ends and meshing with an elongate gear extending parallel to the spindle's path of reciprocatory movement. The spindle and inner housing by a flexible beltlike member, preferably formed of reinforced rubber or other comparable material not requiring lubrication, which is secured at its opposite ends to the inner housing. The straplike member passes through and about certain guides of novel arrangement, and is entrained about two drive rolls alternately rotated in opposite directions from a common input shaft through oppositely threaded pairs of worm and worm gears and selectively energizable clutches. Most of the drive components of the assembly are positively driven in one direction only, and the tension in the beltlike member tends to remain constant after being initially set by a simple adjustment of the spacing between the two rolls about which it is entrained for frictional engagement, thus minimizing the aforesaid noise, lubrication and lost motion problems.

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, which should be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section and partially broken away at its upper portion, of a spindle assembly according to the present invention, and of a bobbin detachably mounted thereby;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section, with some of the components shown in elevation, taken substantially along line 2-2 of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram of the electrical components of the assembly.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an elongate spindle 10 mounted for rotative and reciprocatory movement about and along its generally vertical axis by means including a frame 25 and concentrically arranged inner and outer tubular housing members 23, 45, respectively. Outer housing 45 is bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to frame 25 and is provided intermediate its relatively short length with a side opening 66 registering with a groove 68 extending longitudinally of the outer surface of the longer inner or spindle housing 23 mounted for axial movement within housing 45 by bearings 43. Bearings 60, 62 and 64, the latter being separated by a spacer 58, encircle reduced diameter portions of spindle l0 and mount the same within inner housing 23 for rotative movement relative to both housings and for unitary axial movement with inner housing 23 relative to outer housing 45 and frame 25. In conventional fashion, the'projecting upper portion of spindle 10 above housing 23 is provided with a sheath detachably mounting a yarn-receiving bobbin 54 for rotary and reciprocatory movement with spindle 10 during operation of the assembly between its lowered position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a raised position disposed axially thereabove a distance substantially equal to the spacing between the bobbins end flanges. A rotatable flyer or other guide (not shown) may if desired be provided in association with the assembly to assist in the formation of a yarn package upon bobbin 54. An annular lint-shield 56 encircles spindle 10 between bobbin 54 and inner housing bearing 64 to prevent lint contamination of the latter.

Spindle 10 is rotated about its axis by means including a gear 12 affixed to its lower end, which projects slightly beyond the lower end of inner housing 23 '(see FIG. 2). Gear 12 meshes, in all reciprocatory positions of spindle 10, with an elongate gear 14 keyed or otherwise suitably secured to a frame-mounted shaft 16 extending vertically in parallel relationship to spindle 10. A bevel gear 18 on the lower end of shaft 16 meshes with a bevel gear 20 carried by framemounted input shaft 22 which is continuously rotated, by any suitable power source (not shown), during operation of the assembly. This produces, through the aforesaid drive system,

corresponding rotation of spindle 10 about its axis in a direction appropriate for the winding of yarn upon the bobbin 54 rotated with and by the spindle.

In order that the yarn windings might be evenly distributed between the end flanges of bobbin 54, means are provided for axially reciprocating inner housing 23, and through it spindle 10, during operation of the assembly. Such means, to be now described, includes an elongate, flexible beltlike member 24 preferably formed of fiber glass reinforced rubber or other material having similar characteristics of high strength, low extensibility and good durability without any need for lubrication. Belt 24 has its opposite ends fixedly secured to inner housing 23 within and adjacent the extremities of elongate groove 68 thereof, which is of sufficient width and depth to readily receive the belt, and extends from such ends along and through groove 68 to and outwardly from side openings 66 of outer housing 45. A pair of small, freely rotatable rollers 27 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) extending in spaced parallel relationship to each other and at right angles to the axis of spindle 10 are seated partially within groove 68 and partially within opening 66 for passage of belt 24 partially and respectively thereabout. Rollers 27 prevent rotative movement of inner housing 23, while pennitting its free axial movement with spindle l0 relative to outer housing 45, and smoothly guide the upper and lower end portions of belt 24 from groove 68 through opening 66 to rotatable drive means carried by frame 25 closely adjacent opening 66 and about which belt 24 is entrained. In the assembly shown the aforesaid drive means comprises a pair of vertically spaced parallel rolls 26, 26' which are respectively keyed or otherwise suitably secured to stub shafts 28, 28' extending at substantially right angles to the axis of spindle 10. Rolls 26, 26 have a relatively small mass, and therefore inertia, and a sufficiently high coefiicient of surface friction to prevent any appreciable slippage between their cylindrical faces and the belt 24 entrained thereabout and driven thereby. As in apparent from FIG. 2, belt 24 is entrained about rolls 26, 26 in such a way that during upward movement of spindle l and housing 23, that portion of the belt between its lower end and the rolls shortens while that belt portion between its upper end and the rolls simultaneously lengthens by an equal amount, and during downward spindle movement the opposite result ensues. Rolls 26, 26' define nips with the respective upper and lower rollers 27, through which nips belt 24 passes, and thus assist in maintaining the rollers in their illustrated positions.

The lower shaft 28 is joumaled for rotation by a framemounted bracket 46 having spaced lugs 47, 47 through which the shaft extends and between which lower drive roll 26 is disposed. An adjustable bracket 50 is pivotally attached to bracket 46 by means of a pin 48 (see FIG. 4) extending between lugs 47, 47 and through the lower portion of bracket 50. Bracket 50 includes a pair of spaced lugs 51, 51 by which upper shaft 28 is journaled for rotation and between which upper drive roll 26 is disposed, and further includes a pair of outstanding ears 53, 53'. The undersurfaces of ears 53, 53' are respectively abutted by the ends of adjustment screws 52 equipped with suitable locknuts and carried within threaded bores of lower bracket 46. By advancing screws 52 and thus pivoting bracket 50 about the axis of pin 48, the spacing between rolls 26, 26 may be easily adjusted so as to provide any desired tension in the belt 24 entrained thereabout. The aforesaid adjustment can, if desired, be effected even while the assembly is in operation.

During operation of the assembly drive rolls 26, 26 are alternately rotated in opposite directions from a common input shaft 44 which is itself driven by any suitable means (not shown) in a single direction only. To achieve that end, the stub shafts 28, 28 mounting rolls 26, 26' are respectively connected through selectively energizable electric clutches 30, 30 to frame-mounted shafts 32, 32' having worm gears 34, 34 fixed thereon. Gears 34, 34' respectively mesh with axially spaced worms 36, 36' keyed to a vertical shaft 38 which is driven at its lower end from input shaft 44 through bevel gears 40, 42. Worms 36, 36 are oppositely threaded so that the unidirectional rotation of shafts 44, 38 produces rotation of shafts 28, 28 in opposite directions, as indicated by the directional arrows of FIG. 1. When its respective clutch 30 or 30 is energized, each roll 26 or 26 is rotated by and in the same direction of its associated shaft 28 or 28.

. Clutches 30, 30 are connected into a suitable electrical control circuit including either programming means, a limit switch or the like, in such a manner that at each end of each axial stroke of spindle one clutch is energized and the other clutch is deenergized. Such a circuit is schematically shown in FIG. 5, wherein a limit switch 70 in series with a suitable power source is movable by an actuator 72 between contacts 74, 76 associated with clutches 30, 30', respectively. When switch 70 is in engagement with contact 74, as shown, clutch 30 is energized and clutch 30 is deenergized so that roll 26 is moving upwardly spindle 10, through belt 24 and housing 23, while roll 26' and its associated stub shaft 28' are merely rotating freely. When spindle 10 reaches the upper end of its reciprocatory stroke, actuator 72 is moved downwardly so as to open contact 74 and close contact 76. This substantially simultaneously deenergizes clutch 30 and energizes clutch 30', whereupon spindle 10 is immediately moved downwardly by roll 26' while roll 26 and its stub shaft 28 merely rotate freely. Actuator 72 may be tripped at each end of the spindle s stroke by engagement with any convenient part of spindle 10, housing 23 or bobbin 54, and more sophisticated electrical controls might of course by employed in lieu of those shown.

It will be noted that of the various drive components producing the aforesaid reciprocatory movement of spindle 10 through belt 24 and inner housing 23, only the relatively small drive rolls 26, 26' and their associated stub shafts 28, 28

undergo reversals of movement. This fact and the frictional connection between belt 24 and rolls 26, 26 greatly reduce the noise and wear problems attendant drive mechanisms in which racks and pinions or other relatively massive metal parts are brought into direct reversing contact with each other. In addition to being relatively quiet and long-lasting in operation, belt 24 requires no lubrication and permits quiet precise control of the spindles axial movement, being taut at all times. As one of the rolls 26, 26' is positively rotated as aforesaid to shorten one of the belt portions extending to its end connection with housing 23, thus axially moving housing 23 and spindle 10, the housing movement simultaneously and equally lengthens that portion of the belt between its other end and the drive rolls. The desired tension within belt 24, after having been initially attained by adjustment of screws 52, is therefore reliably maintained at all times during operation of the assembly.

Frame 25 is as shown preferably formed so as to at least partially shield rolls 26, 26 and the immediately adjacent components of the assembly from ambient lint, dust and the like.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, this was for purposes of illustration only, and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being in accordance with the following claims.

lclaim:

1. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and reciprocated longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising:

a frame;

means including a spindle housing carried by said frame and mounting said spindle for said rotary and reciprocatory movement, said spindle and said housing being relatively rotatable and unitarily reciprocatable longitudinally of said spindle axis;

means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle;

means connected to said housing for imparting said unitary reciprocatory movement to said housing and said spindle, said last-mentioned means including;

rotatable drive means carried by said frame;

an elongate flexible member entrained about said drive means and having its opposite ends secured to said housing, the portions of said member intermediate said ends thereof and said drive means extending at least in part generally parallel to said spindle; and

means for alternately rotating said drive means in opposite directions to conduct said flexible member thereover and vary the length of each of said portions thereof and to thereby reciprocate said housing and said spindle.

2. A spindle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said housing is generally tubular and said spindle is mounted concentrically along an intermediate portion of its length therewithin, and end portion of said spindle projecting from said housing, and said means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle including a gear fixed to said projecting end portion thereof, and an elongate gear carried by said frame in generally parallel relationship to said spindle and in meshing engagement with said gear on said end portion thereof in all of its reciprocatory positions.

3. A spindle assembly as in claim 2, wherein said spindle housing has a longitudinally extending groove in its outer surface adapted to receive said flexible member, and wherein said mounting means further includes a generally tubular second housing fixed to said frame and concentrically mounting an intermediate portion of said spindle housing for axial reciprocatory movement therewithin, said second housing having a side opening therethrough in registration with said groove of said spindle housing for passage of said flexible member to said drive means.

4. A spindle assembly as in claim 3, including a pair of freely rotatable guide rollers seated partially within said groove and partially within said opening with their axes in spaced and generally parallel relationship to each and extending generally at right angles to said spindle axis, said flexible member being loioab 0507 entrained about said guide rollers and urging the same into said seated positions thereof.

5. A spindle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a smooth-surfaced belt and said rotatable drive means includes a rotatable 'drive roll carried by said surface friction with frame and having a high coefficient of said belt.

6. A spindle assembly as in'claim'5, wherein said drive means includes a second rotatable drive roll extending generally parallel -to said first-mentioned drive roll and mounted for adjustive' movement to vary the spacing therebetween, said elongate belt being entrained about both of said drive rolls.

7; A spindle assembly as in claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said drive means alternately rotates one of said rolls in one direction and the other of said rolls in the opposite direction. v

i 8. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and reciprocated longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising: i aframe; v means including a spindlehousing carried by said frame and mounting said spindle for 'said rotary and reciprocatory movement, said spindle andsaid housing being relatively rotatable and unitarily reciprocatable longitudinally of said spindle axis; means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle; means for imparting said reciprocatory movement to said spindle, said last-mentioned means including: a drivable member connected to said housing; first and second rotatable drive members carried by said frame in direct driving engagement with said drivable member; and input means connected to each of said drive members for rotating the same alternately in opposite directions for imparting said reciprocatory movement to said spindle' through said drivable memberand said housing, rotation by said input means of said first drive member imparting longitudinal movement in one direction to said spindle and rotation by said input means of said second drive member imparting longitudinal movement to said spindle in the opposite direction. Y 9. A spindle assembly as in claim 8,- wherein said input means includes a frame-mounted shaft, a pair of oppositely threaded worm elements on said shaft, a pair of worm gears meshing with respective ones of said worm elements, and means including a pair of selectively energizable clutch members connecting said rotatable drive members with respective ones of said worm gears.

10. A spindle assembly as in claim 8, wherein said drivable member comprises an elongate flexible belt entrained about said drive members and having a high coefficient of surface friction therewith.

11. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and moved longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising:

a frame;

a generally tubular outer housing fixedly supported by said frame;

a generally tubular inner housing concentrically mounted within said outer housing for axial movement relative thereto, said inner housing having a groove extending generally longitudinally of its outer surface;

bearing means mounting said spindle generally concentrically within said inner housing for rotative movement relative to said inner housing and for axial movement therewith;

means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle;

means for imparting said longitudinal movement to said spindle, said last-mentioned means including:

a rotatable drive roll carried by said frame;

an elongate beltlike member entrained about said drive roll and having a prtion extending therefrom through said groove of sai inner housing and terminating at an end secured to said inner housing; and

means for rotating said drive roll in a direction to shorten said portion of said beltlike member and thereby move said inner housing and said spindle in axial direction.

12. A spindle assembly as in claim 11, wherein said outer housing has an opening therein intermediate its length in registration with said groove of said inner housing and adjacent said drive roll, said beltlike member extending from said groove of said inner housing through said opening of said outer housing to said rotatable drive roll.

13. A spindle assembly as in claim 12', and further including a guide roller seated partially within said groove and partially within said opening, said portion of said beltlike member being entrained about said guide roller and urging the same into seated position.

14. A spindle assembly as in claim 11, wherein said spindle projects at one end from said housings, and wherein said means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle includes a gear secured to said one end thereof, and an elongate gear mounted by said frame generally parallel to said spindle meshing with said spindle gear in all longitudinal positions of said spindle. 

1. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and reciprocated longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising: a frame; means including a spindle housing carried by said frame and mounting said spindle for said rotary and reciprocatory movement, said spindle and said housing being relatively rotatable and unitarily reciprocatable longitudinally of said spindle axis; means fOr imparting said rotary movement to said spindle; means connected to said housing for imparting said unitary reciprocatory movement to said housing and said spindle, said last-mentioned means including; rotatable drive means carried by said frame; an elongate flexible member entrained about said drive means and having its opposite ends secured to said housing, the portions of said member intermediate said ends thereof and said drive means extending at least in part generally parallel to said spindle; and means for alternately rotating said drive means in opposite directions to conduct said flexible member thereover and vary the length of each of said portions thereof and to thereby reciprocate said housing and said spindle.
 2. A spindle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said housing is generally tubular and said spindle is mounted concentrically along an intermediate portion of its length therewithin, and end portion of said spindle projecting from said housing, and said means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle including a gear fixed to said projecting end portion thereof, and an elongate gear carried by said frame in generally parallel relationship to said spindle and in meshing engagement with said gear on said end portion thereof in all of its reciprocatory positions.
 3. A spindle assembly as in claim 2, wherein said spindle housing has a longitudinally extending groove in its outer surface adapted to receive said flexible member, and wherein said mounting means further includes a generally tubular second housing fixed to said frame and concentrically mounting an intermediate portion of said spindle housing for axial reciprocatory movement therewithin, said second housing having a side opening therethrough in registration with said groove of said spindle housing for passage of said flexible member to said drive means.
 4. A spindle assembly as in claim 3, including a pair of freely rotatable guide rollers seated partially within said groove and partially within said opening with their axes in spaced and generally parallel relationship to each and extending generally at right angles to said spindle axis, said flexible member being entrained about said guide rollers and urging the same into said seated positions thereof.
 5. A spindle assembly as in claim 1, wherein said elongate member comprises a smooth-surfaced belt and said rotatable drive means includes a rotatable drive roll carried by said frame and having a high coefficient of surface friction with said belt.
 6. A spindle assembly as in claim 5, wherein said drive means includes a second rotatable drive roll extending generally parallel to said first-mentioned drive roll and mounted for adjustive movement to vary the spacing therebetween, said elongate belt being entrained about both of said drive rolls.
 7. A spindle assembly as in claim 6, wherein said means for rotating said drive means alternately rotates one of said rolls in one direction and the other of said rolls in the opposite direction.
 8. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and reciprocated longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising: a frame; means including a spindle housing carried by said frame and mounting said spindle for said rotary and reciprocatory movement, said spindle and said housing being relatively rotatable and unitarily reciprocatable longitudinally of said spindle axis; means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle; means for imparting said reciprocatory movement to said spindle, said last-mentioned means including: a drivable member connected to said housing; first and second rotatable drive members carried by said frame in direct driving engagement with said drivable member; and input means connected to each of said drive members for rotating the same alternately in opposite directions for imparting said reciprocatory movement to said spindle through said drivable member and said housinG, rotation by said input means of said first drive member imparting longitudinal movement in one direction to said spindle and rotation by said input means of said second drive member imparting longitudinal movement to said spindle in the opposite direction.
 9. A spindle assembly as in claim 8, wherein said input means includes a frame-mounted shaft, a pair of oppositely threaded worm elements on said shaft, a pair of worm gears meshing with respective ones of said worm elements, and means including a pair of selectively energizable clutch members connecting said rotatable drive members with respective ones of said worm gears.
 10. A spindle assembly as in claim 8, wherein said drivable member comprises an elongate flexible belt entrained about said drive members and having a high coefficient of surface friction therewith.
 11. In a textile spindle assembly having a spindle adapted to be rotated about and moved longitudinally of its axis, the improvement comprising: a frame; a generally tubular outer housing fixedly supported by said frame; a generally tubular inner housing concentrically mounted within said outer housing for axial movement relative thereto, said inner housing having a groove extending generally longitudinally of its outer surface; bearing means mounting said spindle generally concentrically within said inner housing for rotative movement relative to said inner housing and for axial movement therewith; means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle; means for imparting said longitudinal movement to said spindle, said last-mentioned means including: a rotatable drive roll carried by said frame; an elongate beltlike member entrained about said drive roll and having a portion extending therefrom through said groove of said inner housing and terminating at an end secured to said inner housing; and means for rotating said drive roll in a direction to shorten said portion of said beltlike member and thereby move said inner housing and said spindle in axial direction.
 12. A spindle assembly as in claim 11, wherein said outer housing has an opening therein intermediate its length in registration with said groove of said inner housing and adjacent said drive roll, said beltlike member extending from said groove of said inner housing through said opening of said outer housing to said rotatable drive roll.
 13. A spindle assembly as in claim 12, and further including a guide roller seated partially within said groove and partially within said opening, said portion of said beltlike member being entrained about said guide roller and urging the same into seated position.
 14. A spindle assembly as in claim 11, wherein said spindle projects at one end from said housings, and wherein said means for imparting said rotary movement to said spindle includes a gear secured to said one end thereof, and an elongate gear mounted by said frame generally parallel to said spindle meshing with said spindle gear in all longitudinal positions of said spindle. 